Assessing the sustainability of livestock socio-ecosystems in the drylands through a set of indicators

Analyzing the sustainability of grazing livestock farming systems in drylands at farm and household or territorial levels (in terms food security, well-being, value chain performance, feed supply, maintenance common resources) constitutes a major challenge context global changes. In particular, social–natural interdependency an entanglement spatial temporal scales complicates development systematic framework for assessing these systems. Our objective is to give overview some fundamental sets indicators usually used elaborate on principles guide sustainable assessment drylands. To do so, this paper reviews set empirical, theoretical, methodological studies related analysis risk, adaptability, vulnerability, resilience, based (mostly pastoral systems, but also integrated crop-livestock systems). More concretely, review seeks compile inform processes socio-ecosystems. It points wide range approaches that have been address ranging from those focus ecological social more systemic approaches; indicator-based focusing processes; quantitative point out need take qualitative aspects into consideration; research-based assessments participatory approaches. Based review, we propose multi-scale combining space, time, coordination This aims constitute sound basis elaborating system information will contribute support policymakers agencies developing their policies measurements order ensure agropastoral short medium-term. However, study warns about multiple contextual scopes implications, which reveal differing dynamics (and therefore adaptive capacities)